Hook-fastener



(No Model.)

J W. WILLARD.

HOOK FASTENBR.

. a his/7H9.

No. 562,688. Patented June 23, 1896.

5 k /|T E5555 P R 5A4 M/WJAEA UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE;

JOHN XV. WILLARD, OF PITTSFORD, VERMONT.

HOOK-FASTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 562,688, dated June 23, 1896.

Application filed April 29, 1895.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN W. W'ILLARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsford, in the county of Rutland and State of Vermont, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Hooks for Hooks and Staples, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to hooks adapted particularly for use in connection with staples or equivalent stationary contrivances, such hooks and staples being usually employed for securing gates, doors, &c., in a closed position; and the invention relates particularly to that class of hooks which, when placed in or over the staple, become automatically fastened in such position to the extent that the hook cannot jump away from the staple; and the invention or improvement consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts fully described below, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front elevation showing my hook in position. Fig. 2 is an enlarged view, partly in front elevation and partly in longitudinal vertical section. Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line as, Fig. 2.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

A represents a portion of a door or gate, and B a portion of a jamb or post, the former having driven into itthe ordinary staple C, from which the hook swings, and the latter having driven into it the ordinary staple D, with which the free end of the hook engages.

E is the main portion of the hook, provided at its rear end with the ordinary eye or loop E, by means of which it is engaged by the staple G, and bent at its forward end into the hook portion E. The main portion E is provided with. a vertical perforation e, and the upper surface of such portion E has a longitudin a]. groove e, which begins at the said perforation and extends along the upper surface of the portion E and then down along the outer surface of the hook portion E, as shown in Fig. 2, until it connects with a horizontal opening F of considerable size extending entirely through the portion E. A wire H extends from the perforation, l1 ving its end headed under the lower end thereof at 72 along the groove 2 until it reaches the opening F, where it bends at right angles at H into said opening near the upper end thereof,

Serial No. 5L7,445. (No model.)

such bend extending entirely through and beyond the opening, as shown. Thence it bends diagonally downward and forward at H into the lower portion of the opening F, and thence up substantially vertically at H within the opening.

The normal position of the spring-wire is as indicated in the drawings; and, as will readily be perceived, when the hook is in the staple D it cannot be lifted without the portion H of the spring-wire striking one of the legs of the staple. Hence the hook is practically fastened within the staple until some one presses the portion H H of the springwire into the recess and frees the hook portion E. To again engage the hook, simply press the front end down into the staple and the part F of the spring-wire will yield, and then fly again into the position illustrated. Thus it is impossible that the hook should jump or become jarred out of engagement with the staple.

Of course any equivalent mechanical contrivance for the ordinary staple may be employed which will engage the hook.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The hook E provided with the hook portion E, said hook portion being furnished with a substantially horizontal perforation or opening extending through the hook por tion from front to rear, 2 8., on a line parallel with the main portion E of the hook, and a spring secured to said main portion and extending along the portions E E through said opening and projecting inward sufficiently to lie and catch under a leg of a staple, thereby locking the hook thereto, and adapted to be pressed back by the hand so as to clear said staple, substantially as described.

2. The hook E provided with the hook por- IOO 

